Hello from the CameraFi Live Team 😊

CameraFi Live for Android just got a new video source — RTMP input is here! 🙌

You can now feed a huge range of external gear into CameraFi Live over RTMP: OBS, vMix, PTZ cameras, IP cameras, drones, other phones, and hardware encoders.

Until now, your source options were images, video, USB (UVC) cameras, and SRT — and there was no way to bring an outside RTMP feed into the app. 

That changes with this update. Point any RTMP source at CameraFi Live, and it shows up as a live video source you can switch to on the fly.


‼️ Available now in the Beta version. Join the beta to try RTMP source input first!


✅ What is RTMP source input?

It lets CameraFi Live receive an RTMP feed from an outside device or app and use it as a video source.

Here are the kinds of sources you can bring in:

  • OBS screen
  • vMix output
  • PTZ camera
  • IP camera
  • Drone camera
  • Another phone's camera
  • Hardware encoder

One thing to be clear about: this is not about streaming out over RTMP. It's the opposite — you're pulling an RTMP feed in and putting it to work inside CameraFi Live.


‼️ Before you connect

For this to work, the device sending the RTMP feed and the device running CameraFi Live have to be able to reach each other on the network.

That usually means one of these setups:

  1. Both devices on the same Wi-Fi
  2. One device sharing a hotspot, with the other device joined to it
  3. A VPN that ties devices on separate networks together as if they were on one local network

If you're just testing side by side, start with the same Wi-Fi or a hotspot — it's the quickest way to get connected.



✅ How to connect an RTMP source

Step 1. Get your two devices ready

You'll need a main device — the phone running CameraFi Live that receives the feed — and a sub device that sends the RTMP video.



Step 2. Put them on the same network


  • Join both devices to the same Wi-Fi, or
  • Turn on a hotspot on one and connect the other to it



Step 3. Add RTMP as a video source


  1. Open CameraFi Live and pick the platform you're streaming to.
  2. Tap the Source Switcher icon at the bottom.
  3. Hit Add (+) and choose RTMP from the video source list.



Step 4. Grab your RTMP connection details


  • Once the RTMP source is created, swipe over to the Video menu to find its QR code and address.
  • Get the sending device ready — a phone, PTZ / IP camera, drone, or hardware encoder — or an app like OBS or vMix.


  • On a phone, open CameraFi Live and tap CUSTOM RTMP.
  • For non-phone gear, type in the URL from the main device. On a phone, just scan the QR code.

  • Scanning fills in the RTMP URL and stream key automatically. Tap OK to lock it in.



Step 5. Start transmitting from the sending device

  • On the sending device, tap CUSTOM RTMP → START → GO.
  • Start your broadcast on the main device too.


  • The RTMP feed pops up in the Source Switcher. Tap the [•••] icon to open the edit panel.
  • From there you can drop it into PiP, or rotate, flip, and crop the source before you go live.



💡 TIP

Use a VPN to connect across different networks

By default, the sending and receiving devices need to be able to reach each other on the network.


Same Wi-Fi or hotspot? You're good to go. 

But when your devices are on totally separate networks — say one's on LTE and the other's on 5G — a VPN bridges the gap.

The catch: a regular "hide my IP" VPN won't cut it. 

You want one that pulls multiple devices onto a single shared network.


We recommend Tailscale.

  1. Install the VPN app on both the sending and receiving devices.
  2. Sign in with the same account on each.
  3. Check in the app that the two devices can see each other.
  4. In CameraFi Live's RTMP info, make sure the VPN network IP shows up.
  5. Drop the receiving device's RTMP address into the sending device's RTMP settings.
  6. Start transmitting from the sending device.
  7. Confirm the feed comes through in CameraFi Live.


* Free tiers and device limits differ from one VPN to the next, so check the provider's terms before you rely on it.




✅ When RTMP source input comes in handy

It's a great fit when you want to:

  • Run PTZ camera footage in a mobile live stream
  • Pull an IP camera into CameraFi Live
  • Bring an OBS or vMix screen into a phone broadcast
  • Use drone or hardware encoder footage as a source
  • Keep a multi-camera setup simple, with CameraFi Live as the hub

No bulky broadcast rig required — you get far more source options right from your phone.


✅ Not connecting? Run through this checklist

If your RTMP feed isn't showing up, check the following:

  • The external device or app actually supports RTMP output
  • The RTMP details were entered correctly
  • CameraFi Live and the source device can reach each other on the network
  • Resolution or bitrate isn't cranked too high (that can cause lag or stuttering)
  • Your network, firewall, and router settings aren't blocking the connection
  • On a VPN, both devices are on the same VPN network





We're always working to support more ways to stream with CameraFi Live.

So go ahead — connect OBS, vMix, PTZ cameras, IP cameras, drones, and hardware encoders, all through RTMP source input.

📌 Note: RTMP source input is currently rolling out in beta. Join the CameraFi Live beta program to try it before anyone else. 

Give it a try and let us know what you think 😊

👉 Join the beta and put RTMP source input to work!

 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vaultmicro.camerafi.live

Thanks!